From Paris to Berlin, officials struggled to prevent the spread of nCoV, but faltered at the blockade decision over concerns about economic consequences.

Italy on March 10 became the first European nation to impose a nationwide blockade, preventing more than 60 million people from moving, in an unprecedented effort to deal with the seriously spreading Covid-19, making 10,000 people in the country are infected and more than 600 die.

However, experts warn that European countries may enter Italy's "footsteps" in the next 2-3 weeks, when the number of nCoV cases in regional countries such as France, Germany and Spain. is growing faster and faster. Besides, with Cyprus recording the first case of nCoV, Covid-19 is now present in every country in the European Union (EU).

According to commentator Mark Landler of NY Times, Covid-19 is more or less disturbing the pace of life in Europe, while also exposing the EU's limitations in dealing with the global health crisis. Countries with different health systems and levels of infection are giving inconsistent responses to the disease.

Some countries were fierce in the fight against Covid-19. Greece, which recorded about 90 cases of nCoV and the Czech Republic, a country with more than 60 patients, announced the closure of the entire school. Poland, where there were just over 20 cases, canceled all major events. The government of Poznan city in the western part of the country even closed schools, swimming pools and other public places right after the first confirmed case of nCoV.

Austria, where more than 180 cases have been reported, has banned all entry from Italy except for emergencies, while suspending outdoor events of more than 500 people and indoor events of 100 or more people. up. Serbia also banned entry with passengers from serious epidemic places, while Croatian authorities forced them to quarantine for 14 days.

Denmark blocked all air routes from countries heavily affected by Covid-19. Ireland canceled parades on St. Day. Patrick. Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes also recommended postponing house events with more than 1,000 people, and advising people to work from home if possible.

Meanwhile, the British government, which has recorded nearly 400 cases of nCoV, has not yet taken any drastic measures to prevent the virus from spreading. A spokesman for the British Prime Minister said all decisions were "based on the best available scientific information" and they "will continue to do so", despite warnings from some experts that the situation The UK will be similar to Italy today in the next few weeks.

Despite the government's indifferent attitude, the British supermarket chain Tesco began to limit the distribution of germicidal soap, wipes and pastas as people scrambled to "scoop" shelves, often. Not appearing in a country that prides itself on this calm.

Germany seems to have a stronger approach than the UK to curb nCoV. The Berlin government has announced that all theaters and concert halls will be closed at least until the end of the Easter holiday early next month. The capital of Germany is also the seventh of the 16 states to ban gatherings per 1,000 people.

However, the German government has not yet imposed a mandatory order to cancel or postpone large-scale events nationwide, but only stopped at the call. "I strongly recommend canceling the events of more than 1,000 participants until further notice," said German Health Minister Jens Spahn.

Germany has just recorded two deaths from nCoV, but the number of infections has increased steadily and has exceeded 1,500. According to commentator Mark Landler, that alone is enough for the German authorities to rethink hope in people's self-consciousness.

In Spain, the number of nCoV infections spiked to nearly 1,700 with nearly 40 deaths, while on March 8 there were only 589 cases, prompting the government to suspend flights from Italy. However, new school closure orders apply in some areas, not nationwide.

Officials have only canceled some major events, such as the Barcelona marathon, but many others are still in progress, such as rallies in Madrid and other cities to celebrate International Women's Day. "Spain will not have a contagious infection nationwide," said Fernando Simon, director of the country's medical alert coordination center.

In France, which recorded nearly 1,800 nCoV infections and more than 30 deaths, the government banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people. Officials also closed schools in two severely affected areas, Oise and Haut-Rhin, and are ready to move to "Stage Three" in combating the epidemic, including allowing people with mild symptoms to quarantine themselves. At home, avoid overloading for hospitals.

In order to secure medical supplies, France did not allow the export of masks, hand sanitizers and protective gear, despite the EU's proposal to share them with other countries. Officials and police have also raised vigilance over mask theft from hospitals and "blowing prices" of essential goods.

Despite a series of allegedly aggressive measures, French officials have avoided the large-scale blockade in Italy due to concerns over the economic impact. "We will not let the economy and social life of the country be paralyzed," said French Health Minister Olivier Veran.

Some experts say that blockade of regions or an entire nation will pay the price of economic losses, even greater risk than health risks from disease. They are concerned that China's successful suppression of Covid-19 by mass blockade of cities will encourage more countries to consider similar actions.

"The world we live in will become more frequent with such viruses. If every country takes that measure, we will drag the entire economy down," said infectious disease expert. Francois Bricaire, a member of the French Academy of Medicine, commented.

Growth in Europe was near zero even before Covid-19 broke out. Volkswagen, which struggled with supply chain disruption after an outbreak in China, now lacks spare parts from Italy, a more important supply source for carmakers than businesses. Chinese enterprises.

In the UK, officials fear the spread of inaccurate information about the risk from Covid-19. Health experts said that Prime Minister Johnson and officials need to keep a moderate response, while helping people prepare for tougher actions in the future.

"The Italians act extremely drastically because the epidemic is already rampant, and we should consider taking steps. We do not want to take draconian measures to close the whole society," said Bharat Pankhania, an expert. Infectious diseases at Exeter University of Medicine, said. However, he acknowledges that the spread of nCoV will at some point force officials to make tough decisions, such as banning public gatherings.

Soccer matches in Germany are still going as planned, including a match at the Monchengladbach city stadium, attracting 54,000 spectators. Just a few kilometers away is Heinsberg district, where more than 200 cases of nCoV have been recorded and become the largest outbreak in the country.

Stephan Pusch, an official at Heinsberg, is not sure whether the continuation of football matches is proper. He has asked local schools to close for a week and cancel smaller events in the area. However, on March 8, Pusch stressed he would not order the blockade.

"I definitely exclude this option, because it will damage our faith," Pusch said.